T M H

Cooperative Extension
TERMITE MANAGEMENT FOR HOMEOWNERS
Termites are considered Arizona’s number one urban pest.
As a homeowner, you may encounter termites at sometime
or other. If you ﬁnd termites in your home, it’s important
not to panic. These small animals take a very long time,
often years before structural damage is present in the home.
Therefore, the information provided here is to enable you to
make intelligent decisions regarding termite management
options. It’s important to contact several pest management
professional (PMP’s) for estimates. If you already have a
pest control service you may want to contact them for an
estimate. Attempting to control termites on your own is not
recommended.
Termites are small animals found primarily in the tropical
regions of the world, where they play a role in the recycling
wood and other cellulose-based materials. Termites are in a
group of insects, which alone comprise the order Isoptera
(iso-ptera = “equal-winged”). They are so named because
the primary reproductive adults usually referred to as
“swarmers”, have two pairs of equal length wings. There are
currently approximately 2,761 named termite species in 282
genera worldwide. About 45 species occur in the continental
United States with nearly 30 causing damage to wood and
wood products. At least seventeen species of termites occur
in Arizona, but only three species are considered to be of any
signiﬁcant economical importance.
Scientists have placed all the termites into 3 broad
categories based on their habitat: dampwood, drywood and
subterranean. In Arizona, dampwood and drywood termites
are not wide spread problems but can be under certain
conditions. Subterranean termites on the other hand are
considered one of our major urban pests.
Figure 1. Basic Termite Life Cycle
Biology: Termites live in true social groups with a division
of labor between the different castes of individuals. Within
these castes are a complex life cycle with the development
of individuals that look and behave differently from other
members of the group. The different castes are separated
into adult reproductives, workers and soldiers. In order to
get a better understanding of the termite life cycle, I will
describe the process beginning with a primary reproductive
or king and queen, also know as alates (Fig 1). These adults
can vary in color from light tan to reddish brown to nearly
black. Adults range in size from ½ to 1 inch plus with wings
attached. The eyes are fully developed, with mandibles
(jaws) typically visible, and membranous wings. Paired
antennae are often bead-like or moniliform.
3/2005
AZ1356
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES
TUCSON, ARIZONA 85721
PAUL BAKER
Specialist, Entomology
This information has been reviewed by university faculty.
cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1356.pdf
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A.
Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, afﬁrmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.
During certain times of the year, the alates leave the colony
in a series of dispersal ﬂights or swarms. During this time,
adults may be attracted to lights, where pairing begins. As
the alates, both males and females, land on the ground, the
wings are shed and they start searching for a suitable place
to initiate a colony. The males are attracted to the females by
a scent or pheromone, and follow the female. Together they
dig into the wood or moist soil depending on the species and
form a chamber, where mating takes place and the queen
begins to lay eggs. Of the millions of alates that swarm every
year, only a small percent, usually less than 1%, survive to
produce a colony.
The worker caste, the one most homeowners see, are
responsible for performing the labor within the colony. They
care for the eggs and young; construct the colony tunnels
along with repairing the damaged ones; forage for food;
along with helping other termites when they molt or grow;
and groom, clean, and provide food for other nestmates, as
well as for one another. They help soldiers in defending the
colony if an attack occurs from ants or foreign termites. As for
the soldier caste, there main function is to defend the colony
against other termites and ants. In general, it does this by
using its large opposing jaws or mandibles.
Identiﬁcation is the key to any termite management strategy
and thus it’s important to obtain samples of soldier termites
and when at all possible winged adults. Winged ants are often
mistaken for winged termites, but several characteristics can
be seen with the naked eye that will help differentiate the two
insects (Fig. 2). Ants have two pairs of transparent wings of
unequal size, while termites have four equal-sized wings that
generally fold over the back. In addition, the region of the
body behind the wings is “pinched” in ants but completely
straight in termites. Termites are sometimes referred to as
“white ants” because they look like ants but they are found
in a mud tube. These white termites should be collected and
used for identiﬁcation
Figure 2. Comparison Between Reproductive Ant,Termite, and Web Spinner
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The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Types of Termites
As previously mentioned, in Arizona we have 3 categories of
termites of which 2 can be considered pests, drywood termites
and subterranean termites. Drywood termites, as the name
implies, are capable of infesting drywood that is not in contact
with the ground. Because they do not construct earthen
mud tubes, like subterranean termites, they are usually very
easy to identify; infestations however, are harder to detect.
A good sign of drywood termite infestation is the presence
of hard, dry fecal pellets that usually form piles (Fig. 3).
Under a microscope the pellets have pronounced dimples,
like dried corn kernels. Drywood termites are larger than
subterranean termites approximately ½ inch; they construct
larger galleries, and in a large number of cases are found
around door and windowsills. There are two important
species of drywood termites in Arizona: Incisitermes minor
(Hagen), and Marginitermes hubbardi (Banks). Other species
that occur are not considered pests. Incisitermes minor is the
most common of the drywood termites and probably the
most destructive. This species attacks all types of dry sound
wood. They occasionally are found in furniture and other
wood products in areas that normally would not have this
species. Soldiers have large jaws, with the basal segment of
the antenna slightly enlarged. The adult bodies are two-toned
in color, with a brown head and thorax and a brownish-black
abdomen. Adults have been observed to ﬂy on bright sunny
days in June to August, unlike the subterranean termites,
they are not timed to coincide with the rain. (For more details
see the U of AZ “Drywood Termites”).
Subterranean termites derive their name from the fact
that they live in contact with soil as a source of moisture. For
these termites to move into a wood source above ground,
they construct tubes made of soil, soft fecal matter and
wood chips. There are 3 species of subterranean termites
in Arizona that are likely to cause structural damage. A
destructive termite found in the desert southwest is the
arid-land subterranean termite, Reticulitermes tibialis. Arid
Figure 3. Drywood fecal pellets and damage
land termites naturally occur in the deserts where they
attack creosote and greasewood bushes. Thus, when homes
are built in these settings, the natural food source has been
removed; they may begin to attack the structure. The timing
of the winged reproductive swarms depends on the elevation
in Arizona. Below 4,000 feet, the arid land termite swarms
between January and March. Above 4,000 feet, they swarm
in June and July. The adults are about ½ inch long with wings
and 3/8 inch long without wings. They are dark brown to
black, with dark leg areas and almost colorless wings. If
you come across an infestation and can collect a soldier(s),
it still may be difﬁcult to identify, because it looks very close
to the desert termite Heterotermes aureus. In fact, the soldier
mandibles need to be dissected and examined for selected
characteristics. In general, the soldiers are 3/8 inch long with
mandibles (jaws) that are nearly straight. The most common
and by far the most destructive are the desert subterranean
termite, Heterotermes aureus (Snyder). Despite its limited
distribution in the U.S. to mostly the arid southwest, it has
been known to attack various types of wood, including cactus
ribs, desert trees (both dead and occasionally living) and
human structures such as utility poles, posts and structural
timbers. Winged adult ﬂights take place generally after a
rain during the monsoon season from July to September.
The head and body of the winged adults are pale yellowish
brown, approximately 3/8 inch long without wings and ½
inch long with wings. Identiﬁcation to species level is usually
accomplished using either soldiers or adults. However, H.
aureus is difﬁcult to separate from Reticulitermes sp. using
only a soldier for identiﬁcation. When soldiers are compared
to Reticulitermes sp, the mandibles (jaws) are 3/8 inch long,
more slender and nearly straight.
The tube-building termite Gnathamitermes perplexus are
thought to be “true” desert termites because they attack a
variety of desert plants and materials such as fences, cowchips, dead grass or weeds. They construct wide thin
plaster-like earthen coatings on palms trees or wooden fences
where they feed by scraping dead wood off the exterior. As
a homeowner you might have observed dead grass or a twig
covered with the thin layer of mud, that if disturbed, the
termites G. perplexus scurry to go underground. In general,
these termites are not pests and should not be treated for
unless they are found inside a structure. Adults are ¾ inch
long including the wings, and are brown in color. They are
diurnal (morning/night) ﬂiers and usually ﬂy after a summer
rainstorm. Soldiers have mandibles (jaws) that are curved
inward with an obvious inner tooth. This tooth is used to
distinguish the damaging species of termites from the desert
species. (For more information see the U of AZ “Arizona
Termites of Economic Importance”).
Detection/Inspection for the presence of termites in
many cases can be difﬁcult. Even though termites are made up
of numerous individuals, they are quite secretive and spend
most of their time either in the soil or inside wood. Thus,
how does a homeowner tell if their home is infested with
termites? Using a good ﬂashlight, examine the foundation
wall at the soil line, cracks in concrete ﬂoors and places where
pipes and ducts come up through the concrete slab for tubes
where termites could enter. A good indicator is a mud tube
on the outside stem wall (Fig. 4). Termite galleries of both
dry-wood and subterranean termites infesting interior wood
can be detected by tapping the wood every few inches with a
screwdriver. Damaged wood should sound hollow and the
screwdriver may even break through into some extensive
galleries. When possible, determine all the entry points and
the type of termites by collecting live ones for identiﬁcation.
Collect and place in alcohol for identiﬁcation. Now that you
have a good indication of an infestation, you should consider
getting a professional inspection (there will be a fee for this
service). Check with friends, neighbors, the Better Business
Bureau and even the Structural Pest Control Commission
for information/recommendations. Even if you do not
have termites, an annual inspection by a Pest Management
Professional is recommended.
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
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Figure 4. Access tube made of mud
Construction practices
Construction practices used by builders can be critical
in keeping termites from invading your home. A consultation
with your builder, your pest management professional and
your lending institution is important for meeting all local
requirements. Arizona laws do not require any termite
prevention treatment, but almost all lending institutions
require a termiticide treatment as part of the construction
loan. A liquid termiticide application applied to the soil
substrate before the concrete is poured is called a termite
pretreat (Fig. 5). This application is recommended for all
structures particularly in the low desert areas.
Pre-Construction - What you do before building your
home may save you a lot of headaches afterward. Contact
your builder and work with him or her to agree upon a plan
to prevent termites from invading your home. Ideally, the
time to protect a house against termites is before it’s built.
Here are some things to consider:
•
Remove all cellulose materials like stumps, roots
and wood scraps from within 25 ft of the structure,
•
When possible treat the soil with a termiticide
below the footer before it’s poured,
•
Make sure there is adequate drainage away from
the house,
•
If ABC (Aggregate Base Concrete) ﬁll is called for
in the speciﬁcations, insist on leveling and packing
this gravel based material as ﬁrm as possible,
•
Make sure the soil is level and adequately
compacted within the concrete frame,
•
Concrete must be poured within 24 hours of the
termiticide application, but the shorter the time
interval between the treatment and the concrete
being poured the better,
•
Avoid all non-treated wood to soil contact,
particularly in high moisture areas,
•
Exterior woodwork should be located a minimum
of six inches above the grade or soil line,
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Figure 5. Pre-treatment application
•
Install screened vents on all crawl spaces and
attics to eliminate the accumulation of moisture and
•
Make sure that the “ﬁnal grade” is completed,
if possible after all the initial landscaping is ﬁnished.
Barriers
Physical barriers nationwide are becoming more popular
because in general they have no chemicals associated with
them that could contaminate the environment. To date, they
have had limited application in Arizona.
Listed below are some examples of physical barriers.
Copper Termite Shields are installed primarily on
top of the foundation or stem wall as a physical barrier to
prevent termite access. The installation and cost of materials
can be expensive.
Stainless Steel Mesh products such as Termi-Mesh ® is
a stainless steel mesh (0.66 x 0.45 mm) that can be laid down
within the stem walls of the foundation of the structure or
wrapped around pipe protrusions. The termites do not have
the ability to penetrate through the steel mesh. The product
is sold in Australia, Hawaii and other parts of the U.S., but to
date it has not been used in Arizona.
Impasse® (Syngenta Crop Science) is a product containing
polymer plastic sheeting that has the pyrethroid insecticide
lambda cyhalothrin locked in between the 2 layers of plastic.
The plastic sheeting is laid out in large sections within the
stem walls. All seams and protrusions such as pipes are heat
sealed to prevent termite access before the concrete is poured.
Over time, in the event of a small hole occurring within the
plastic sheeting, the chemical should prevent the termites
from reaching the structure. Impasse® has been installed in
2 homes in Arizona as of 2002.
Sand Research results have demonstrated that a 4 to 6 inch
layer of very uniform particle size (approx. 16 grid) sand
under the foundational concrete can deter termites from
penetrating the structure. This particular size sand prevents
the termites from moving it or using it to build tunnels.
However, if the particle size is inconsistent, or if the soil shifts
or opening appears in the sand barrier, this will enable the
termites to enter the structure. It is not recommended as a
stand-alone product for termite protection.
Pretreat protection against drywood termites may involve the
use of chemically treated lumber for the ﬁrst ﬂoor framing,
but this can be expensive and apparently not often done.
Redwood, cypress, cedar and very pitchy pine are reported to
have some resistance but are not immune to termite attack.
Chemical
Pre-Construction Liquid chemical barriers are the
standard in the pest control industry. In most cases, lending
institutions require a pretreat application of a chemical or
a termiticide. Pretreat termiticide applications consists of
a 2-step process. The initial step consists of a termiticide
application to the soil within the foundation “footprint”
before the concrete is poured. The second step requires an
application along the stem wall after all the construction is
ﬁnished. This “ﬁnal grade” consists of the application of the
termiticide in a trench, 6 inches out from the stem wall and 6 to
12 inches down. Termiticides are considered either, repellent
and non-repellent. A repellent termiticides cause the termites
to sense a treated area and avoid it. It appears that termites
are not deterred from tunneling in non-repellent termiticide
but eventually die from exposure to the termiticide. The
objective of any chemical treatment is to protect the structure.
For more details on the cost of liquid termiticide treatments
see U of AZ “Liquid Termiticide Costs”. A list of currently
registered termiticides is located at the end of this article,
however you should check with local authorities because
this list is subject to change.
Post-Construction: As structures age, it is critical to
inspect them for the presence of termite activity particularly
along the stem wall where the soil line meets the foundation.
This should be done about twice a year, once in the spring,
especially when we have had a wet winter and again near the
end of the monsoon season, when termites are most active.
Some practical considerations:
• Correct faulty grades by insuring that standing or
running water slopes away from the house and
stem wall.
• Correct stucco below grade, by removing the
outer covering of an outside stucco wall that
extends below the soil line. The distance between
the soil line and the stucco should be 4 inches; this
will enable termite inspection of the outer stem
wall.
• Reduce soil moisture within 1 foot of the stem
wall; this can be done by correcting water drainage
to slope away from the house and by planting
shrubs and trees at least 18” from the stem wall.
• Make sure all main irrigation pipes are more than
18” away from the stem wall.
• Minimize soil disturbance adjacent to the stem
wall to keep the termiticide barrier intact, if
you disturb it contact your Pest Management
Professional.
• If you home is less than 5 years old it should
have received a “ﬁnal grade “ termiticide treatment,
if the house is older there is a good chance that
the ﬁnal grade treatment has degraded, so inspect
the stem wall at least twice a year.
Chemical Barriers
Conventional Liquid Barrier The standard in the
pest management industry for termite control has been
conventional liquid termiticides. The process consists of
trenching and rodding a structure. The procedure prescribes
digging a 6” wide trench 6” deep around the structure. All
areas that butt up against the structure like a patio are down
drilled. Down drilling consist of drilling 1/4” holes through
the concrete approximately 12” apart so the termiticide can
be injected into the holes. Once all the trenches are dug and
holes made the liquid termiticide is applied based on labeled
instructions and maximum rates (Fig. 6). Arizona state laws
require full-labeled rates must be applied. The termiticide is
applied to the trenches at the required 4 gallons of ﬁnished
product per 10 linear feet (Fig 7). Finished product is what
comes out of the hose once the concentrated chemical and
carrier in this case water is mixed together. In addition, the
ﬁnished product is applied through the drill holes based on
label requirements. Upon completion of the treatment, the
trenches are backﬁlled with the extracted soil being mixed
with the chemical in the trench. Drilled holes are plugged and
sealed over. If treatment is necessary inside the structure, this
is done by down drilling usually adjacent to the infestation or
possibly into the wall voids. Because of the nature of termites
and the difﬁculty in conducting a through visual inspection,
termites could return. A good treatment should result in an
absence of termites visually after 3 months.
Supplemental Barriers: These barriers are used in
conjunction with liquid termiticides.
Foam Selected termiticides can be applied by mixing them
with a foaming agent and applied using a small compressed
air tank. This mixture under pressure forms shaving cream
type foam that expands into drilled voids, both under slabs
and in walls. Dry wall foams are generally light, dryer and
maintain direct contact within the void. Wet foams require
more gallonage and utilized for sub-slab injections to ensure
adequate saturation of the soil.
Dust Occasionally, the application of dusts to wall voids
and other spaces are made where liquids or foams are
impractical.
Direct Wood Treatment Products containing disodium
octaborate tetrahydrate (borates) were developed to treat the
termite’s food supply. These products are painted or sprayed
on bare wood, where they are absorbed depositing smallcrystallized boric acid within the wood. If either subterranean
or drywood termites feed on the treated wood they are
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5
killed. Applications of direct wood treatments are usually
made during the wood-framing portion of construction and
usually to the 2-4 feet above the sill plate.
Alternative Approach-Baits
As previously stated, for the past few decades, liquid
termiticides have been the industry standard in termite
control. However, within the last 10 years, an alternative
approach to termite control has been introduced - baiting. In
general, the baiting concept consists of placing a food source
(i.e. wood) in plastic monitoring station at regular intervals
in the ground around a structure. Once termites ﬁnd the food
source and consume or “hit” the wood, the food source is
switched out with bait, containing an insecticide. Once fed
on by the termites they die.
The baits contain extremely small amounts of insecticide
formulated to be consumed by the termites. Baits fall into
2 categories: 1) Insect growth regulators (IGR) such as
hexaﬂumuron or diﬂubenzuron, or 2) slow-acting metabolic
inhibitors and neurotoxins such as hydramethylon or
sulfuramid. The IGR’s are slow acting growth regulators that
disrupt the termites’ ability to shed its skin or molting process
and eventually kills the affected termites. The slow-acting
metabolic inhibitors impact the termite’s ability to feed and
breath. Baits take into account that a part of termite behavior
is to frequently exchange food and body secretions for their
normal survival. This exchange of food is called trophallaxis.
During trophallaxis the transfer of microorganisms in the
midgut aids in the break down of cellulose for new members
of the colony. The termite queen secretes speciﬁc chemicals
that are used to regulate communications within the colony.
These chemical secretions eventually pass throughout all
members of a colony. Thus, the reason why baits are used for
Figure 6. Application of termiticide into patio
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termite control is because this exchange of food/secretions
allows slow-acting baits to be transferred throughout
the colony. Eventually, the whole colony will be affected
resulting in reduced termite activities to the point that the
colony can’t survive. Regardless which type of bait is used,
the homeowner must be patient with the baiting process.
Exterra® Termite Interception and Baiting System is
a relatively new termite bait system by Ensystex (1-888398-3772). As with almost all baits, the use of Exterra® is a
multi-step process (Fig 8). The initial step is the placement
of monitoring stations in the ground around the perimeter
of the structure. Usually within 30 to 60 days, the stations
are inspected and if “hit” by termites, the bait Labyrinth®
(active ingredient diﬂubenzuron) is placed within the
station. The bait is mixed with water to form a paste and
placed inside the station. Every 30-60 days, the stations are
reinspection and the bait replenished based on the amount
of termite consumption. When termite activity in the station
has stopped, the station is refurbished and the cycle of
inspection and baiting begins again. The bait in Labyrinth®
is a chitin synthesis inhibitor that causes termites to die
while attempting to shed their skin or molt. One advantage
of the Exterra® system is that stations can be monitored or
reﬁlled with bait without disturbing termites in the station.
In addition, because the wood intercepts are located pressed
against the walls of the station in slots that do not have to be
moved to be inspected.
Figure 7.Trenching
Firstline® Termite Defense System is manufactured by
FMC Corporation located in Princeton, NJ (1-800-321-1FMC).
This system also uses a multi-step process of monitors and
baits but in addition can incorporate a spot treatment of
liquid termiticides into the control process (Fig. 9). FirstLine
GT® (“GT” ground treatment) utilizes stations placed only
in the ground where termite activity is known or suspected.
The placement of monitors usually does not involve the
installment of baits at ﬁxed intervals around the entire
perimeter of the building as is required by other systems. The
bait a slow-acting ingredient (sulfuramid) is impregnated
into corrugated cardboard. In Arizona monitoring is
recommended very 30 days.
The
Sentricon® Colony Elimination System was
developed by DowAgSciences (Indianapolis, IN; 800-8885511) and is sold only through authorized operators (AO)
Pest Management Professionals (PMP’s) (Fig 10). This
product probably has the highest recognition in the market
place. The active ingredient is called Recruit® and it contains
hexaﬂumuron or neuﬂumuron, both which are slowacting ingredients that disrupt the termites ability to shed
its skin. The Sentricon System® requires a 2-step process:
(1) Installation and initial monitoring to determine termite
activity, and (2) once wood consumption and termites are
found, the technician replaces the wood monitors with the bait
matrix, with subsequent monitoring monthly to provide on-
Figure 8. The Exterra® Monitor as seen from above, the Exterra® Monitor, the
Exterra® Monitor with bait tube
Figure 9. The Firstline® Monitor as seen from above, the Firstline® Monitor, the
Firstline® Monitor with bait
Figure 10. The Sentricon® Monitor as seen from above, the Sentricon® Monitor, the Sentricon® bait tube
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going protection. The above ground delivery system, Recruit
AG®, (Above Ground) is the termite bait for use speciﬁcally
inside the house for control of subterranean termites. The
manufacturer requires that Recruit AG® be used only in
conjunction with the Sentricon Colony Elimination System®
and is not available as a separate program.
In addition, the Subterfuge® Termite Bait, manufactured
by BASF Corporation (Research Triangle Park, N.C.) is
available in Arizona but has limited research results in the
desert SW. This system is similar to FirstLine® and has the
active ingredient hydramethylnon. Outpost®Termite
Detections System manufactured by Bayer Environmental
Sciences (Kansas City, MO) is also available but has limited
research results in Arizona. This system has the same active
ingredient diﬂubenzuron as Exterra, but the bait is placed
into the ground from the day of installation.
Some advantages in using baits: baits provide an alternative
to liquid chemical barriers in particularly difﬁcult and
impossible situations, they have less negative health and
environmental impacts because generally they use less
toxicant and they impact whole colony(s), with the potential
to eliminate or suppress the colony. The disadvantages are
they require more speciﬁc training of service technicians;
they are not sold to homeowners; they can take much longer
to get the infestation under control and the systems rely on
the termites to “ﬁnd” the bait.
As for liquid termiticides they have several advantages: The
overall costs can be slightly less provided the application
is done correctly and at maximum labeled rates; labeled
rates are coming down in percent active ingredient, and
control usually can be achieved in less than 3 months. The
disadvantages are difﬁculty in getting a complete and through
treatment; inaccessibility because of construction problems,
and degradation of products particularly in Arizona with
very hot dry conditions.
Deciding on Baits or Termiticide
Barriers
If you have termites, as a homeowner you need to decide the
best management strategy options that are available to you.
You can choice to do nothing and hope they go away, you
can treat them yourself, which is not a recommended option
because of all the different chemicals, construction types and
equipment problems or you can decide on a bait or liquid
termiticide treatment. Therefore, several considerations are
presented for both the baits and liquid termiticides. Good
candidates for termite baits are structures with hard-to-treat
construction or repeat retreatment histories. In may of these
cases construction features, such as cold air returns in the
slab or inaccessible crawl spaces, can make treatment with
conventional soil treatment methods almost impossible. With
baits, gaining access is not a problem since foraging termites
are as likely to encounter bait stations around the foundation
exterior. If you’re a homeowner who does not want your
ceramic tile or wood ﬂoors drilled, furniture moved or
carpeting pulled back, you also a good candidate for baits.
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Baiting requires fewer disruptions than does liquid barrier
treatment. Installation and subsequent monitoring of bait
stations generally does not require entrance in to structure.
In addition, you can avoid the drilling along with the dust
associated with conventional treatment.
If you’re a homeowner who does not want to use of
pesticides in and around the home, you’re a good candidate
for a baiting system. Chemically sensitive and concerned
homeowners may ﬁnd the concept of baiting more practical
particularly related to health issues. With baits, the total
amount of pesticide applied is relatively small in comparison
to the number of gallons used in a soil barrier treatment.
Homeowners living in attached housing (condo’s, attached
residences) where the entire structure cannot be treated with
liquid termiticides are good candidates for baiting systems.
Often all the people living in attached housing complexes
may not be able to afford the termite baiting procedure.
Homeowners on limited budgets are generally better
candidates for traditional termiticide barriers. The average
liquid termite treatment is usually about $500-1800 and with
an annual renewable service agreement (warranty) costing
$80-200 in case the termites return. A baiting program usually
ends up costing more than a standard liquid treatment
(averaging about $1,500) because baiting programs require
multiple visits to the property for routine monitoring of bait
stations. Also, the annual renewal fee for baiting typically will
be as much as two to three times higher than for termiticide
barrier treatment. Usually property owners with termites
having multiple entry points or those involved in a real
estate transaction are good candidates for liquid termiticide
barriers. They may not be able to wait six months to up to a
year (sometimes longer) for baits to suppress or eliminate the
infestation.
In some cases, houses may require treatment with both baits
and standard liquid termiticide barriers. With comprehensive
baiting programs such as Sentricon® and Extrerra®, liquid
applications can be made as partial or spot treatments to
infested areas, rather than to the entire structure. Other
bait products (e.g., FirstLine®) may suggest that spottreatment of active tunnels, feeding galleries, and localized
areas in the soil is needed to get the termites under control
before establishing a baiting program. Such products are
typically used in conjunction with the standard liquid barrier
treatments.
In summary, termites can be a problem for homeowners
but they can be managed and they can be brought under
control.
Table 1: 2003/2004 Termiticide Comparisons
DEMON ®
TC
PREMISE ®
75
PREMISE ®
0.5 SC
T ERM I DOR ®
FM C
Syngenta
Bayer
Bayer
BA SF
Bi fenthrin
Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin
I mi daclopri d
I mi daclopri d
Fi pronil
Pyrethroid
Py rethroid
Pyrethroid
Pyrethroid
Chloroni cotin y l
Cautio n
Cautio n
W arni ng
Cautio n
W arni ng
Cautio n
Chloroni cotin yl Pheny l
Py razole
Cautio n/
Cautio n
L iquid
W arni ng/
Solid
1.25 gal/
94.75
0.5%
2-4 gal/98
0.5-1.0%
1 qt/99.75
0.06%
1 gal/96
0.25%
1-2 gal/100
0.25-0.5%
4-8 WS B /100
0.05-0.1%
110-220 oz/
100 gall ons
0.05-0.1%
0.6-1.2gal/ 1 00
.06-.125%
18+
8
10
11
16+
5
13
7
15+
9
17
16+
5
6
14+
4
9
14
14+
12
11
5+
11
9
N o data
9+
9+
9+
9+
10%/3 yrs
88%/1 yr
0.84%/6 yrs
5%/3 yr s
N o data
N o data
0.74%/ 6yrs
N o data
38%/ 3 y rs
77%/ 1 y r
0.72%/ 6yrs
27%/ 3 y rs
42%/ 3 y rs
21%/ 1 y r
0.28%/ 6yrs
2%/ 3 yrs
N o data
N o data
0.15%/ 6 yrs
N o data
.05%-40%/ 1yr
49%/ 1 y r
Da ta wit hheld
N o data
No
No
No
No
data
data
data
data
No
No
No
No
Pest Control,
Outside,
Pest Control,
Outside,
Pest Control
Outside
Pest Control
Outside,
I nside
Pest Control
Outside
Product
Name
D RAGNET ®
SFR
PRELUDE ®
Ma nufacturer
FM C
Sy ngenta
FM C
Active
I ngredient
Permethri n
Permethri n
Chemical
Class
Py rethroid
Signal
Word
Dilution
Rate
2003
E ff icacy
Low Rate
U SDA CS AZ
CS MS
CS FL
CS SC
University
HI -% pen/yrs
AZ -% rem/yrs
TX -%rem /yrs
NE -% rem/yrs
Mean of soil
Tested
E xtra
Labeling
TAL ST AR ®
TC
PREVAIL
FT
®
data
data
data
data
Carpenter
Ants
Ants
Carpets
Carpets
Law ns & Or n. Law ns & Or n.
Fl y Control
Fl y Control
Odor
Faint
Sli ght
Aromatic
Faint to
M oderate
Sli ght
soapy
Faint,
Va ri able
Faint
Faint
No
Odor
Repellent
Repellent
Repellent
Repellent
Repell ent
N on-repelle nt
N on-repellent
N on-repelle nt
Comments
Where trade names are used, no endorsement is intended,
nor criticism implied of similar products not named.
For further information about the products mentioned in
this publication, contact the manufacturer, your local termite
control professional, state regulatory agency responsible
for pesticide usage, or the university cooperative extension
ofﬁce in your area.
CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication
are registered for use in Arizona, USA ONLY! The use of some
products may not be legal in your state or country. Please
check with your local county agent or regulatory ofﬁcial
before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.
Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL
DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!
Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply
endorsement by The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
9